HealthBar announces new location in Holland Township

HOLLAND TWP. — A startup in West Michigan looking to cut the middleman from healthcare is expanding to Holland Township.

HealthBar, based in Grand Rapids, provides custom healthcare services to businesses and consumers. The business, launched in 2020, has opened a new drive-thru medical center at 12274 James St. — a long-vacant bank site.

The location will provide a diverse set of services, including all types of COVID testing. Current prices are $80 for a rapid antigen test, $165 for a nasal swab test, $165 for a saliva test, $45 for an antibody test and $160 for an immunity score.

While antibody tests confirm whether someone has been exposed to COVID in the past, an immunity score can determine how immune they are to contracting COVID-19 in the future.

More:Healthcare startup opens insurance-free rapid testing site

More:HealthBaar aids businesses along the lakeshore in reopening safely

Additional healthcare services similar to those customers would receive in an urgent care setting will be added to the lakeshore center in the coming months.

The drive-thru location will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointments are necessary. Hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

HealthBar (formerly HealthBaar) was founded by longtime nurse Nathan Baar, who saw a need for accessibility and price transparency in healthcare. The company charges a fixed price for all services, removing health insurance from the equation.

“The healthcare field is changing,” Baar told The Sentinel in July. “And that not only pertains to how services are provided, but also how clinicians are employed. Nontraditional shifts, flexible work environments and freelance opportunities will transform the clinical world.

“Decentralizing services provided within the four walls of a hospital will allow patients and businesses the opportunity to consume healthcare more conveniently and not be exposed to the hospital environment.”